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Research Fellowships for medical students and post-doctoral research are awarded annually. The purpose of these research awards is to attract physicians, PhD scientists and allied heath professionals into conducting research into Myasthenia Gravis or related conditions.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship:
A qualified candidate desiring training in Myasthenia Gravis research first finds a scientist with an established research program who will agree to serve as a mentor and supervise the proposed research plan. The research plan can be basic or clinical research. The Research Committee is appointed by the Chair of the Medical Advisory Board. Scientists are chosen for this committee on the basis of their ability and their special knowledge and experience in Myasthenia Gravis. This twelve-month post-doctoral fellowship is awarded for clinical or basic research related to MG or related neuromuscular disorders. Research may be concerned with the neuromuscular transmission, immunology, molecular or cell biology of the neuromuscular synapse, or the etiology/pathology or diagnosis of mg.
Funding of Post-Doctoral Fellowships is dependent upon available funding. We are currently not accepting applications.
Download the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Application (PDF) 
Research Fellowships Awarded
Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Student Fellowships
Nursing Fellowships
Post-Doctoral Fellowships
2007
Jianrong Sheng, PhD
University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
Project: Immunoregulation of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis using Granulocyte-Macrophange Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Bellur Prabhakar and Dr. Matthew Meriggioli.
This project is investigating the use of a specific growth factor (GM-CSF) to induce a specialized type of immune cell (T regulatory lymphocytes) as a treatment for mice with MG. Previous work in this area has shown this strategy to be effective in preventing mice from acquiring experimentally-induced MG. The desired outcome of this current research is to use the immune system's own regulatory network to establish immune balance, eliminating the need for chronic immunosuppression.
Shalini Muhherjee, PhD
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Project: Antibody Mediated Modulation of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Research conducted under the direction Dr. Steven Verino
This project investigates the relationship between two antibody-mediated diseases that involve an attack on acetylcholine receptors (AChRs): autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (AAN) and myasthenia gravis (MG). In MG, the antibodies reduce the amount of AChR available to the muscle and damage muscle membrane, whereas in AAN the antibodies attack AChRs on the nerve cell, impairing communication between nerve cells. This research expects to yield important information about the process that occurs in antibody-mediated diseases such as myasthenia gravis.
Jennifer Anderson, PhD
University of California, Davis, California
Project: "Allele-Specific RNAi Treatment for Slow-Channel Syndrome Caused by M2 Acetylcholine Receptor Mutations"
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Ricardo Maselli
This project investigates the potential treatment for slow-channel syndrome (SCS), a form of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). This strategy involves developing gene therapy that will silence the abnormal gene, which contributes to the development of slow channel syndrome. The protocol is currently concluded in the in-vitro (test tube) phase and will proceed to in-vivo research in mice.
Amir Sabouri, MD - Second year of funding
The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
Research: Role of BAFF in the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis
Research conducted under the direction of Nora Sarvetnick, PhD.
Research Summary:
These investigators will use a mouse model to determine the role of BAFF as a key factor in the development of MG. This type of research aims to clarify the key steps or ingredients that might explain how and why MG develops. The investigators hypothesize that:
- The BAFF molecule is involved in the occurrence of clinical EAMG.
- Mice with BAFF deficiency are less susceptible or resistant to EAMG.
- Over-expression of BAFF in EAMG-susceptible mice accelerates in incidence and severity of the disease.
- BAFF inhibition attenuates the EAMG development.
From the clinician's and patient's standpoint, the importance of this research is in knowing what triggers the immune system to initiate the disease. The work has significant clinical implications, as knowing the trigger for the disease may allow for a new opportunity or strategy for treatment as well as preventative options.
2006
Jing Li, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch
Project: Ocular Myasthenia Gravis in HLA Transgenic mice: Role of DAF.
(Second year of funding)
Research Summary:
This research is being conducted under the direction of Permkumar Christadoss,
M.D. The basic issues with this research center on gaining a better
understanding of the triggers, influences, and factors involved with the initiation
of MG and perhaps more importantly those factors involved with a clinical flareup
of the disease. We know that complement activation resulting from
autoantibody binding to AChR is a key event in the malfunction of the
neuromuscular junction. It has been observed that complement activation (the
bad stuff) is regulated by a number of factors that serve to prevent complementrelated
injury to normal cells. One of these factors is the “decay-accelerating
factor,” or DAF. There is evidence that DAF is reduced in extra-ocular muscles
(perhaps a reason why extra-ocular muscles are preferentially affected in MG).
Dr. Li and colleagues are studying the role of DAF in MG in mice. Mice that lack
DAF are markedly more susceptible to anti-AChR-induced MG, and this work
may lead to further insight into the development of complement inhibitors as new
treatment options for MG. MGFA, its Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
(MSAB), our patients, and their families should stay alert to the potential for
“complement inhibitors” to become a useful new treatment of MG, especially in
acute flares.
Chih-Te Wu, MD
University of California at Davis, CA
Research: Is Glutathione or Another Sulfhydryl-Reducing Agent the Trigger of Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis?
Research Summary:
The trigger of idiopathic autoimmune MG remains an unsolved
riddle. Why is it that only one in 10,000 people develop MG? We need to clarify the
fundamental trigger that disrupts our normal immunological tolerance for the
acetylcholine receptor and leads to the production of acetylcholine receptor antibodies.
Such information will provide new opportunities to treat MG and perhaps prevent it from
starting. Certain drugs, such as penicillamine, are known to cause autoimmune MG in
occasional patients. Based on prior research of the mechanism for drug-induced MG, Dr.
Wu is exploring similar mechanisms that could prove to be the “trigger” or “switch” that
turns on the disease. Not only is it essential that we discover the underlying trigger for
MG but, from a practical standpoint, such information should be expected to provide us
with new strategies to treat MG—and perhaps even prevent it from occurring. It is
certainly possible that, if the switch that turns the disease on is located, then a method of
turning the switch off will follow.
Amir Sabouri, MD
Research: Role of BAFF in the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis
Research conducted under the direction of Nora Sarvetnick, PhD.
Research Summary:
These investigators will use a mouse model
to determine the role of BAFF as a key factor in the development of MG. This type of
research aims to clarify the key steps or ingredients that might explain how and why MG
develops. The investigators hypothesize that:
- The BAFF molecule is involved in the occurrence of clinical EAMG.
- Mice with BAFF deficiency are less susceptible or resistant to EAMG.
- Over-expression of BAFF in EAMG-susceptible mice accelerates in incidence
and severity of the disease.
- BAFF inhibition attenuates the EAMG development.
From the clinician’s and patient’s standpoint, the importance of this research is in
knowing what triggers the immune system to initiate the disease. The work has
significant clinical implications, as knowing the trigger for the disease may allow for a
new opportunity or strategy for treatment as well as preventative options.
2005
Jing Li, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch
Project: Ocular Myasthenia Gravis in HLA Transgenic mice: Role of DAF.
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Research Summary:
This research is being conducted under the direction of Permkumar Christadoss,
M.D. The basic issues with this research center on gaining a better
understanding of the triggers, influences, and factors involved with the initiation
of MG and perhaps more importantly those factors involved with a clinical flareup
of the disease. We know that complement activation resulting from
autoantibody binding to AChR is a key event in the malfunction of the
neuromuscular junction. It has been observed that complement activation (the
bad stuff) is regulated by a number of factors that serve to prevent complementrelated
injury to normal cells. One of these factors is the “decay-accelerating
factor,” or DAF. There is evidence that DAF is reduced in extra-ocular muscles
(perhaps a reason why extra-ocular muscles are preferentially affected in MG).
Dr. Li and colleagues are studying the role of DAF in MG in mice. Mice that lack
DAF are markedly more susceptible to anti-AChR-induced MG, and this work
may lead to further insight into the development of complement inhibitors as new
treatment options for MG. MGFA, its Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
(MSAB), our patients, and their families should stay alert to the potential for
“complement inhibitors” to become a useful new treatment of MG, especially in
acute flares.
2004
Nicole E. Pardo, MD
Michigan State University
Research: Nerve Terminal Targets in Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome.
Research conducted under the direction of William D. Atchison, PhD.
2003
Deepak Yadav, PhD
Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA
Research: Role of inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS) in the regulation of Myasthenia Gravis
Research conducted under the direction of Nora Sarvetnick, PhD.
Renewed from 2002
Erdem Tuzun, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Research: Role of the classical complement pathway in experimental myasthenia gravis"
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Ji-jun Wan, PhD
University of California at Los Angeles
Research: Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to calcium channel mutations
Research conducted under the direction of Joanna Jen, MD, PhD.
2002
Linda L. Kusner
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Research: Susceptibility of Ocular Muscle to Myasthenia Gravis.
Research conducted under the direction of Henry J. Kaminski, MD.
Erdem Tuzun, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Research: Role of the classical complement pathway in experimental myasthenia gravis"
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Ji-jun Wan, PhD
University of California at Los Angeles
Research: Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to calcium channel mutations
Research conducted under the direction of Joanna Jen, MD, PhD.
2001
Soon-Ha Kim, PhD
The Scripps Research Institute
Research: Role of Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Myasthenia Gravis.
Research conducted under the direction of Nora Sarvetnick, PhD.
Abdelkrim Hmadcha, Ph.D.
Wayne State University
Research: Regulation of Neuregulin Expression at the Neuromuscular Junction
Research conducted under the direction of Jeffrey A. Loeb, M.D., Ph.D.
2000
Albert Fliss, Ph.D.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Research: Characterization of the MuSK Signaling Pathway
Research conducted under the direction of Robert Bloch, Ph.D. Professor of Physiology
Yang Huan, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
Research: Human acetylcholine receptor T cell epitope tolerance in HLA transgenic mice
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Sue Stacy, M.S.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Research: Age-associated changes in immune regulation in relation to late onset MG.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Ellen Kraig, Professor, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology,
1999
Mathilde Poussin, M.D., Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
Research: Mechanisms of Resistance of MHC Class II Mutant and HLA Transgenic Mice to Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis."
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Zhiya Yu, M.D., Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Research: Modulation of Human Autoimmune Responses Specific for Acetylcholine Receptor in Chimeric Hu-SCID Mice.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Vanda Lennon at Mayo
1998
Marika Falcone, M.D.
University of Arizona
Research: Role of B-lymphocytes as antigen-presenting cells in the induction of the pathogenic T-cell responses against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Brian Hare, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
Research: Solution structure determination of a single chain T-cell receptor and design of T-cell ligands with therapeutic potential
Anthony Auerbach, Ph.D. and Claudio Grosman, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Buffalo
Research: Binding, gating and desensitization of the acetylcholine receptor channel
1997
Wade A. Grow, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
Research: Carbohydrate remodeling in neuromuscular synaptogenesis
Alejandro F. Schinder, PhD
University of California - San Diego
Research: Morphological correlates of activity and neurotropin-induced synaptic modulation
Eleana Smirnova, Ph.D.
University of California - Los Angeles
Research: How dynamin assembles into spirals and then constricts
Hai-Long Wang, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Research: Structural and mechanistic studies of mutations in human AChR underlying congenital myasthenic syndromes
1996
Balaji Balasa, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
Research: Identification and characterization of the antigen recognized by auto antibodies in myasthenia gravis patients and cytokine transgenic mice: understanding of the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis
Gabriele Besakova, Ph.D
University of Maryland
Research: The role of 43K and other cytoskeletal proteins in synapse formation
Richard J. Prince, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Research: Structure function studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selectivity
Raghavanpillai Raju, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Research: Role of HLA class II genes in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis: studies with HLA-DR3 and HLA-DQ8 transgenic mice
1995
Jacobo Andreose, Pharm.D.
Yale University
Research: Mechanisms of surface delivery of newly synthesized acetylcholine receptors in muscle cells
Caishu Deng, M.D.
University of Texas, Galveston
Research: Interferon-alpha therapy for experimental myasthenia gravis
Medha Gautam, Ph.D.
Washington University, St. Louis
Research: Neuromuscular defects in S-laminin and 43K/RAPSYN mutant mice
Mendell Rimer, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Research: Overexpression of agrin at neuromuscular junctions of rats having experimentally-induced myasthenia gravis
Neelam Wagle, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Research: The antigen processing pathway in cell-mediated immunity
1994
Eswari Gudipati, Ph.D.
University of California at Davis
Research: Mapping conformationally dependent epitopes of monoclonal antibodies on the acetylcholine receptor
Drake LaFace, Ph.D.
La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology
Research: T-cell receptor utilization in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis
Michele A. Sciamanna, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Research: AChR expressed in tumors as a stimulator of myasthenia gravis
1993
Henry Kaminski, M.D.
Case Western Reserve University
Research: Extraocular muscle involvement in myasthenia gravis
Rashimi Kaul, Ph.D.
University of Texas, Galveston
Research: Role of regulator/suppressor cells in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis
Lisa Wheatley, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Research: Localization of sites of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) expression in the human thymus
1992
William Phillips, Ph.D.
Washington University, St. Louis
Research: Mechanisms controlling AChR density at the neuromuscular junction
Samia Ragheb, PhD.
Wayne State University
Research: T cell receptor in MG
1991
Reneé Anand, Ph.D.
Salk Institute
Research: Structural analysis of muscle and brain AChR subunits by in vitro mutagenesis
Neil Miller, Ph.D.
Yale University
Research: Molecular mechanisms of AChR clustering and modulation
Mary Nastuk, Ph.D.
Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology
Research: Isolation and characterization of the agrin receptor of muscle
Student Fellowships
2007
Wendy Allman, B.S. Neuroscience, Ph.D. candidate
University of Texas, Galveston
Project: Ocular Experimental MG progresses to Generalized MG by Epitope Spread.
Research conducted under the direction Dr. Premkumar Christadoss
Ms. Allman will investigate the development of B cells, the lymphocytes whose progeny, the plasma cells, produce antibodies, including those autoreactive cells responsible for myasthenia. She will work on the model of MG and investigate how the B cells are initially triggered to become autoreactive.
Sagar Pathak, Undergraduate Biology Major
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Project: Analysis of a Newly Identified Splicing Variant of Muscle-Specific Kinase
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. David Richman at University of California, Davis.
Mr. Pathak will investigate Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) recently identified to be another antigen at the neuromuscular junction which initiates auto-antibodies producing MG. He will work with Dr. Richman to obtain the isoforms of human MuSK from human skeletal muscle using molecular biological techniques to clone and express these isoforms.
2005
Iris Wingrove
University of Texas Medical Branch
Research: Ocular Experimental MG progresses to Generalized MG by Epitope Spread.
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Gina Eom
University of British Columbia
Research: Review the clinical characteristics as well as the results of patients who had "a false positive" acetylcholine receptor antibody level.
Research conducted under the direction of Joel Oger D en M, FRCPC
Lindsey Knudsen
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Research: The effects of psychological counseling of people with myasthenia gravis.
Research conducted under the direction of Deborah E. Renard PhD:
2004
Dan Chao
Stanford University
Research: Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms of Synapse Specificity
Research conducted under the direction of Kang Shen, MD, PhD
Sidharth Ghosh
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Research: Role of NK Cells in Secondary Immune Response to Acetylcholine Receptor in Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
Joshua Mozes
University of California at Davis
Research: Efficient Production of Recombinant Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies"
Research conducted under the direction of David Richman, MD
2003
Suzanne E. Biehn
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Research: The Incidence of Depression in Myasthenia Gravis.
Sponsoring Preceptor: James F. Howard, Jr., MD. T
Sara Rask
London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario
Research: Sleep Apnea in Patients with MG.
Sponsoring Preceptor: Michael W. Nicolle, MD, FRCPC, D.Phil.
2002
Alexander L. Friend
University of California at Davis
Research: Epitope Mapping the mAb 132A Binding Site on the Torpedo AchR
Sponsoring Preceptor: Robert H. Fairclough, Ph.D.
Evangelos Karras
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Research: Induction of myasthenia gravis and thyroiditis in HLA transgenic mice
Sponsoring Preceptor: Premkumar Christadoss, MD
Julie Lefebvre
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia
Research: The Effects of Unregulated Neuromuscular Activity on Innervation and Synaptic Maintenance: A model for SCCMS
Sponsoring Preceptor: Michael Granato, PhD
Stuart W. Morell
University of California at Davis
Research: Production of Recombinant Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies
Sponsoring Preceptor: David P. Richman, MD
2001
M. Dominik Fischer
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Research: Cloning of eom 4: A novel gene differentially expressed in extraocular muscle
Research conducted under the direction of Tejvir A. Khurana, M.D. Ph.D.
Richard J. Pearson
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Research: Analysis of the effects of neuregulin overexpression on motor neuron survival and neuromuscular junction formation in transgenic mice
Research conducted under the direction of Steven L. Carroll, M.D., Ph.D.
Benjamin G. Scott
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Research: Elucidating the mechanisms of EAMG immunipathogenesis.
Research conducted under the direction of Premkumar Christadoss, M.D.
2000
Mr. Bryan Chang
University of Connecticut and University of California at Davis
Research: Hypothesis that antibodies to synapse-localized proteins in the neuromuscular junction other than the AChR, contribute to pathogenicity in MG.
Carole J. Smith
University of Massachusetts
Research: Examining an important quality of life issue for myasthenics: does the variable course of MG contribute to diagnosis delays?
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. David Chad
Thomas Watkins
Youngstown State University, Ohio
Research: Determine the relationship between observed immunoreactivity patterns in patients with rippling muscles associated with MG and stretch activated Ca2+ in the triad of skeletal muscles.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr Gary Walker
1999
Anna Rostedt
Duke University
Research: Improve the predictive value of the EMG tests for Ocular MG.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Donald Sanders
Jennifer Ward
Washington State University
Research: The dog model of MG.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Joseph Harding
Thomas Watkins
Kent State University School of Biomedical Sciences
Research: The Characterization of Skeletal Muscle Antibodies in Patients with Autoimmune Rippling Muscles and Myasthenia Gravis.
Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Gary Walker at Youngstown State University.
1998
Edward Kim
Case Western Reserve University
Research: Preferential involvement of ocular muscles in myasthenia gravis
Regina Cho
Case Western Reserve University
Research: Sleep disturbances in myasthenia gravis
Sara Richman
University of California at Davis
Research: Methods of identifying components of the acetylcholine receptor recognized by anti-AChR antibodies that resist epitope mapping by Western blots
1996
Vinesh Dedhia
University of Texas, Galveston
Research: Role of CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis
Geoffrey T. Lamke
Mayo Clinic
Research: Basis of Lambert-Eaton Syndrome and its relation to parneoplastic autoimmunity
One R. Pagan-Ojeda
Universidad Central del Caribe Medical School, Bayamon, PR
Study of the inhibition of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Anne Shafer
University of California, Davis
The pathogenic role of antibodies directed against synaptic organizing proteins in MG
1995
Alison Eertmoed
University of Chicago
Research: Regions of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor involved in assembly
Pamela Jacobs
University of Rochester, New York
Research: Serial quantitative myometric evaluation in patients with neuromuscular junction transmission defects
Christine Kirvan
University of California at Davis
Research: Pathogenesis of MG in the laboratory
Sue Stacy
University of Texas at San Antonio
Research: Work in the development of a transgenic mouse model which would help clarify the molecular basis for loss of peripheral tolerance in experimental autoimmune MG
1994
Karen Deffenbacher
Mayo Clinic
Research: Anti-striational autoantibody isotypes in graft vs host disease following bone marrow transplantation
Jessica Glassman
California Pacific Medical Center
Research: Inactivation of specific T-cells responsible for modulating the antibody mediated response against the AChR in MG
Yamac Gungo
Columbia University
Research: The impact of modern neurological intensive care on the outcome in MG crisis
Tanaz Moazami
Columbia University
Research: Immunostaining of thymus sections in both normal and myasthenic, using positive sera to evaluate the presence of thin filament proteins in 'myoid' cells
1993
Jefrey Jacques
Columbia University
Research: Isolation and determination of dendritic and macrophage populations from the myasthenic thymus
Joe McCormick
Mayo Clinic
Research: Definition of the nature of the tumor-associated ionic channel antigen that appears to be responsible for breaking self tolerance to motor neurons in Eaton Lambert Myasthenic Syndrome
Phillip Ondocin
State University of New York
Research: Pre-synaptic effects of specific pharmacological agents at the neuromuscular junction
Nursing Research Fellowships
1993
Mary Ellen Grohar-Murray, RN, PhD
St. Louis University
Research: Testing of a fatigue scale for myasthenia gravis
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